The Lynchburg Hillcats picked up their fifth straight win, defeating the Wilmington Blue Rocks, 6-4, in front of an Independence Day crowd of 4,521 at City Stadium.
The Hillcats (10-4, 39-42) struck for 14 hits in the ballgame and squashed Wilmington’s (6-6, 37-45) rallies with double play balls to hold on late.
Erlin Cerda opened the scoring in the second inning with a perfectly executed hit-and-run to score Emmanuel Tapia to make it 1-0 Hillcats.
Lynchburg added a pair of runs in the third. With Jodd Carter at second and one out, Li-Jen Chu and Trenton Brooks came through with an RBI double and run scoring single, respectively, to extend the lead to 3-0.
Wilmington responded with two runs in the top of the fourth on a two-run triple from Nick Heath, but that was all that starter Justin Garza (Win, 4-6) would allow on the night.
Garza worked six innings, allowing just two runs on six hits, while striking out four to earn the victory. It was the fifth consecutive night in which a Hillcats starter worked at least six innings, giving up two runs or fewer, and earned a win.
The Hillcats struck for two more runs in the fourth. With one away, Mitch Longo singled up the middle, and Carter and Conner Capel laced back-to-back doubles to make it 5-2.
Lynchburg tagged Nolan Watson (Loss, 1-1) for ten hits and six runs in 5.1 innings. Watson walked three and struck out three, and threw 100 pitches in the ballgame.
Leading 6-3 in the seventh, Ben Krauth inherited a bases loaded jam with no outs. Krauth promptly induced a double play from Angelo Castellano, which scored a run, and a groundout from Blake Perkins to escape with the lead intact.
Krauth worked a scoreless eighth inning, and then gave way to James Karinchak (Save, 9), with one on and none out in the ninth. Karinchak followed Krauth’s lead, rolling a double play ball of his own, to record a pair of outs on one pitch, before striking out Nate Esposito to end the ballgame.
The Lynchburg pitching staff combined to get four double plays in the game, while each batter in the lineup recorded a hit, en route to the 6-4 win.
The Hillcats and Blue Rocks square off in the second game of their five-game series Thursday night at City Stadium, with first pitch set for 6:30 p.m. Lefty Sam Hentges (5-5, 3.38) makes the start for Lynchburg, opposed by fellow left-hander Daniel Tillo (2-1, 3.10) for Wilmington.
Max Gun and Matt Present will be live with the Hillcats pregame show on TuneIn Radio and Radio434 beginning at 6:20 p.m.
It’s Thirsty Thursday at City Stadium with game-long happy hour specials, including $2 Miller Lite and Yuengling drafts. It’s also Bike to the Ballpark Night.
For tickets and more information visit lynchburg-hillcats.com, the City Stadium box office, or call 434-528-1144.
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Chris Graham
